New qualification

According to Piper Assessment, investigations show that 80% of kitchen grease extract systems are not being cleaned correctly; contributing to a 25% rise in kitchen fires.

TR19 the standard Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems, published by B&ES (formerly HVCA) sets out how these extract systems should be cleaned but as yet there is no way to determine if companies contracted to do such work are even aware the document exists and what, if any, qualifications the operative carrying out the cleaning has.

B&ES has teamed up with a leading insurance company and its training subsidiary, Piper Assessment, to offer a scheme specifically for operatives involved in Kitchen Grease Extract Cleaning.

The scheme has been designed to be open to all cleaning companies across the UK. The candidate will, on successful completion, hold a B&ES certificate as evidence they have passed a knowledge based exam based on TR19 and an NICEIC COSHH certificate.